Coordinadora Nacional de Derechos Humanos (CNDDHH)

The Coordinadora Nacional de Derechos Humanos (CNDDHH) is the national umbrella organization of human rights organizations in Peru and the reference in the field of human rights. The organization also enjoys international recognition.  

The human rights movement began to gather forces in the 80s, when many rural communities and urban popular organizations were caught between the atrocities of the Shining Path and the human rights violations of the military. During Fujimori's time, most of the attention was focused on denouncing the authoritarian approach of the president and his entourage, and on the fight for democracy. Thanks to the actions of the human rights movement, Fujimori was eventually forced to 'resign'. Afterwards, the Coordinadora ensured that the ex-president was tried for the human rights violations that took place during his rule.

Gradually, the Coordinadora took the initiative around more diverse population groups whose rights are not respected. The member organizations actively participate in the different working groups for the enforcement of rights, depending on their operation and expertise:  

- Rights of persons with disabilities

- Fight against racism and discrimination  

- Women's rights, equal opportunities  

- Rights of the LGTBIQ community 

The three working groups most associated with support from 11.11.11, and the program of 11.11.11 in Peru are:  

Working Group for the Rights of Indigenous Communities  

Working Group for Defenders of Rights and Nature  

Business and Human Rights Working Group  

The bulk of human rights violations are related to conflicts over mining and oil exploitation in the different regions of Peru. Consequently, the coalition focuses on violations related to companies in these sectors. Peru's economic model is very much geared towards achieving growth (at all costs), by attracting foreign investment. Peru is rich in natural resources (minerals, oil) and also offers potential for large-scale projects for export-oriented agro-companies; on the other hand, they have attractive regulations for large companies - such as few regulations for environmental protection, even less control, tax advantages, cheap labor (and special regimes for different groups), which makes the country attract many foreign investors. They are allowed to carry out large-scale projects that take place in the territory of traditional communities - be it in the Amazon or in the Andes. The local population is hardly or not at all consulted, the projects are imposed on them. Most of the investments have a significant impact on the territories: forced displacements, pollution of water and soil, the use of water sources which affects agriculture (the basis of survival for the communities). Everywhere in the country there are conflicts between the companies (which receive the support of the government, the press, etc.) and the local communities. They are often described as 'anti-development'.     

Each of the three working groups mentioned contributes to an improvement of the human rights situation concerning this issue. Their actions range from developing proposals for changes in legislation, conducting campaigns towards the press and public opinion, lobbying, using instruments of the international institutions for the protection of rights (UN, inter-American system), and guiding specific groups. Other partner organisations of 11.11.11 actively participate in working groups such as DAR, Red Muqui, Cooperacción, Peru Equidad.  

Right to consultation

Among other things, it advocates for the correct application of the right to consultation of indigenous communities. This means that companies or governments that want to carry out extractive activities on the territory of indigenous communities must first inform these communities and give them a say. At national level, the possibilities for action are often limited. That is why CNDDHH makes intensive use of international mechanisms provided by the United Nations or the inter-American system for the protection of human rights.

Protection of activists

CNDDHH is forced to work on the criminalization of protest. All too often, people or organizations that peacefully stand up for their rights, or defend the rights of others, are treated as criminals. The people most at risk in Peru are the popular leaders who defend the rights of their communities and their natural environment (water sources, forests, etc.) against the abuses of these 'extractive' activities. The CNDDHH wants to make social organizations and rights defenders less vulnerable to prosecution by influencing policy. The organization has contributed to the creation of a legal framework for the protection of activists, in the form of a protocol for the protection of human rights defenders. The CNDDHH ensures that the protocol is actually implemented. 

Through campaigns and policy advocacy, CNDDHH also advocates for reforms that ensure that the Peruvian state provides real protection to the most vulnerable populations.

In recent years, it has also increasingly taken on a coordinating role between very different social movements fighting corruption and violence against women.

The Coordinadora is generally important in Peru as a platform of civil society that takes action and motivates other organizations to mobilize around the most essential issues. In recent years, the CNNDDHH has taken the initiative for large-scale mobilizations against corruption and violence against women. Every year, the CNDDHH also awards prizes to people and organizations with special merit for the protection of human rights. 

Results

Over the years, CNDDHH has conducted a series of successful campaigns, including on human rights violations by the Fujimori regime, the need for a truth commission, the fight against discrimination, forced sterilization of women, the rights of indigenous peoples and pernicious gun control bills.